How are mental disorders seen and where is help sought in a rural Ethiopian community? A key informant study in Butajira, Ethiopia

One hundred key informants were interviewed about their awareness, attitude s and practices regarding mental illness using the Key Informant Questionna ire developed by WHO. Case vignettes of seven common neuropsychiatric disor ders were presented to the key informants. Informants' awareness about thes e disorders and help-seeking practices for mental and physical symptoms or conditions were assessed. An additional question on the prototype symptoms of mental disorders was also posed. Among the presented seven conditions, e pilepsy was perceived as the most common condition and major depression was regarded as the least common one. Schizophrenia was judged as the most sev ere problem, and mental retardation was considered the second most severe c ondition. Talkativeness, aggression and strange behaviour were the most fre quently perceived prototype symptoms of mental illness. Traditional treatme nt methods were preferred more often for treating symptoms of mental disord ers and modern medicine was preferred more often for treating physical dise ases or symptoms. Findings of this study are similar to other studies condu cted in socio-culturally different communities. Working in close connection with traditional healers would give the primary health care worker a bette r opportunity to gain acceptance from the community and modify certain harm ful practices.